Hi. Welcome to Epiblast! The name is partly inspired by PZ Myers famous blog, Pharyngula partly by the fact that the epiblast, a simple tissue in a developing embryo (labelled 5), gives rise, eventually, to virtually everything inside our body. It's a metaphor for how some of our simple, fundamental ideas vastly affect the other aspects of our life. This blog covers my interests; usually science, medicine, atheism, religion. I might sneak in a bit of philosophy or magic if I feel like it. I warn you, the discussion gets uncomfortable and I come to conclusions which are unconventional, maybe contradictory to yours. Don't go crying to someone if you are offended.

There are times when you have this feeling of knowing what is wrong, but not knowing what you can do to fix it. I have been to numerous parties and social events before with my parents. Usually the kind where expatriate Indians hang out. Now that I am in my twenties, I tend to sit and chill with the uncles and the discussion tends to shift, eventually, towards Money, Films or Indian Current Affairs. Usually, it starts off on an interesting tangent but usually ends up discussing the angle of how messed up the whole system is, sometimes making the situation seem hopeless. You have probably been there too. At about this point, myself and my dad are silent onlookers, I have the option of going and joining the younger kids. I usually do just that.

Not this time.....

Post exam, post massive amounts of school work, I bumped into this event called NRI Power Podium. It's a lead up to the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2011 (hindi for NRI Day) where big and powerful Indians from across the world gather to discuss issues of interest. The event opens the floor to Indians across the world to raise issues which are important to them. We create a profile, put it up to a vote and the top 25 are shortlisted, remarketed and Judges are brought in to vet our profiles. Winners will get an all expenses paid trip to India to attend the conference and speak out!

Being in a scientific field, money and law are not my strong points, though in school they teach us enough law to know how to protect ourselves (Medico-Legal, Ethics). However, there is one means of voicing out opinions which are valuable to me. There is a category called "Cultural Matters" which is admittedly vague, but which I am using to air my views.

The improvements I am suggesting (supposedly to Dr Manmohan Singh) are about Reservations, Hate Speech Laws and an improved Security Framework. You can see what I feel about these at my full profile here . As readers of my writing, I know you are concerned about at least one of the above and it would be great to drop me an endorsement! I have also placed a little counter on the right. Do help me spread the word and gather more votes, I'll need at least five hundred. This is a small step we can take towards change.